New to Grow
My name is Dr. Brandon W. Cassels and I'm a licensed psychotherapist with a PhD in psychology who is passionate about helping individuals make positive changes in their lives. My approach is direct, compassionate, and rooted in real insight. I believe in naming things clearly, exploring what needs accepting, and identifying what needs to change so you can stop repeating the same cycles. You won’t be expected to fit into a box or perform a version of yourself that feels safe or familiar. You can show up exactly as you are and we’ll work from there.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is a chance for us to understand what brought you in, what you’re struggling with, and what you want to change. I’ll ask thoughtful, direct questions to get a clear picture of your goals and explain what working together could look like. There’s no pressure to commit—it’s simply about seeing whether the fit feels right. I encourage an initial conversation so we can see if the relationship feels grounded, comfortable, and productive.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I believe in practicing what I preach: I have been able to work through my own issues and traumas by taking a good hard look at myself and how I contribute to my own sense of unhappiness and unfulfilled potential. Once I reached out for help, my own journey of healing and self-discovery truly began. I have worked as a licensed psychotherapist for over ten years and I have a Master's Degree and a PhD in psychology. I also obtained my Bachelor's Degree at UC Berkeley where I studied the History of Medicine, Science, and Technology.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with adults navigating identity questions, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, men’s issues, ADHD, sexual identity concerns, and the emotional impact of having someone with a personality disorder in your life. I also support high-achieving professionals, creatives, and first responders.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Rather than trying to fix or eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings, I guide you to accept them while identifying potential areas in your life that may need to change by committing to actions aligned with your core values.
Narrative
We work together to externalize your problems, map their influence, and co-author empowering narratives to separate your identity from your personal struggles.
Psychodynamic
We focus on uncovering subconscious/unconscious patterns by examining your past, exploring your current relationships, and identifying/analyzing your current coping skills/defense mechanisms to help you foster awareness and to gain insight into your life.
Strength-Based
We shift the focus from examining your purported deficits to identifying/examining your inherent strengths while helping you foster agency, motivation, and resilience while promoting collaborative goal-setting.
Humanistic
I focus on building a non-judgmental, egalitarian relationship with you through the use of active listening, deep empathy, and unconditional positive regard to foster your self-actualization. Priority is given to what is occurring in your life at the present moment.